Orbital Services Program 4

The Department of the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center established a Master IDIQ for Orbital Services Program 4 (OSP-4) on October 10, 2019, with ordering authority extending to October 10, 2028—approximately two years and two months of remaining ordering window. OSP-4 procures small launch services with payload capacity ranging from 400 pounds to low Earth orbit through approximately 8,000 pounds to geostationary transfer orbit, including dedicated and multi-vehicle mission configurations, integration services, and special studies. The vehicle carries no set-aside designation and is unrestricted competitive.

Ordering momentum has accelerated since early years. The program awarded 31 task orders across six years, with activity concentrated in 2023 (10 orders) following lighter ordering in 2021–2022. The most recent award occurred in March 2025. Combined task-order potential value totals $285.9 million, of which $214.8 million (75 percent) is already obligated, leaving approximately $71.1 million in remaining capacity.

Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation dominates by potential value, holding three orders worth $123 million combined. Firefly Space Transport Services, LLC ranks second with four orders totaling $67.7 million; Virgin Orbit National Systems, LLC holds two orders at $37.3 million; and Orbital Sciences LLC holds two orders at $29.2 million. These four primes capture roughly 95 percent of combined potential value. Rocket Lab USA Inc., Astra Space Operations, LLC, and a long tail of ten smaller contractors fill the remainder. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center funds approximately 99.9 percent of awards by potential value, with minimal activity from Air Force Materiel Command Research Laboratory and Defense Contract Management Agency.

Task orders span firm fixed-price studies ranging from $50 thousand to $1 million and larger operational missions reaching into the tens of millions. Notable recent orders include an Early Warfare System (EWS) delivery order with a $84.2 million ceiling (March 2023) and a Rocket Systems Launch Program order with a $49.3 million ceiling spanning base and all options (February 2025). Typical study work completes within twelve to eighteen months; mission orders run two to four years. All orders are firm fixed-price structures with no cost-plus or time-and-materials provisions observed in the awards data.

The objective of the OSP-4 program is to provide flexible small launch capability using Spacelift System (SS) designs based on commercial and/or Government Furnished Property (GFP) motors to meet a variety of mission and Space Vehicle (SV) requirements in 12-24 months. Required services also include special studies. OSP-4 delivers PLs ranging between 400 pounds (lb) to LEO through approx. 8,000 lb to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO). Additional orbits of interest within this performance range include, but are not limited to, Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Highly Elliptical Orbits (HEO). The program supports both dedicated and primary launch services. In addition, for some missions the launch solution may consist of multiple SSs to support mission requirements.